Refraction in Nature

This phenomenon shows a straight stick being put into a pod at Sweet Marsh. The stick appears to bend at a different angle when it starts to enter the water. Students can see how water changes the appearance of objects when they are in it, consider how other objects look in the water and wonder if these objects will look different in a variety of other liquids.

Driving Question

• Why does water distort the way objects look?

Probing Questions

• What properties does water have that make light reflect?
• Why can we see into the water but also our own reflection?
• Is there a better angle to see into the water?
• Why do objects look different in water than out of water?
• How do predators outside of the water adapt their hunting strategies to catch prey in the water?

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

• Design the best contraption to catch a fish in water.
• Design a scope to adjust for refraction distance in water to spear a fish.
• Test to see if different types of clear liquids have the same effect.
• Determine if salt water and unsalted water have different refraction.

Relevant Related Resources

• Science Learning Hub: Refraction and Spear Fishing: Students try to hit model fish with spears to learn about refraction.
• Science Learning Hub: Investigating Reflection: Investigate how different surfaces affect reflecting light.
• KC Edventures: Light Refraction Experiment: Experiments to investigate how light travels through water.
• Science Buddies: Teaching Visible Light: A variety of activities to investigate the science of visible light.